M2 April 2018 - LATEST ISSUE!
The Place To Be: Making Luxury A Habit
With a hippie-chic complexion, and a gritty sophistication, the Habitas in Tulum, Mexico is a new jewel in any holiday-goer’s crown. Opened last year by owners Oliver Ripley, Kfir Levy and Edwardo Costillo, this paradise-hotel has since enjoyed much hype, attracting famous celebrities, musicians and party-goers. Situated on its own private beach and just approximately...
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Man On The Street – Shawn Pope
Age: 46 Occupation: Director of Melba Group What’s your morning routine? Starts with coffee, preferably roasted by Espresso Workshop, it always has! What are the top three things on your bucket list? Spend a white Christmas with my family in the States, travel on the Orient Express (can’t wait to see St Petersburg), windsurf on...
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Modern-Day Family Values
It seems to me that modern-day family life is not only getting unbelievably busy, but it’s also getting more and more disjointed. What used to be a weekend is now a series of ‘events’ and what used to be interaction now seems to be a group of people at the same location whose minds (and...
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The Importance Of Creating Original Content
If content is king, original content is the Holy Grail. In today’s marketplace, your customers are screaming for exciting, engaging and entertaining original content. How important is creating original content? Well take a look at the world of video streaming. There is now an arms race between the likes of Apple, Netflix and Amazon to...
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 And S9+
With its Super Slow-mo video, best-in-class low light camera and AR Emoji for a more personalised way to express yourself, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the smartphone reimagined. The Super Slow-mo feature makes everyday moments epic. Video is captured at a rate of 960 frames per second and can be started manually or through...
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Grooming: Everything In Its Place
Start every day on the right foot by getting your regimen up to speed. A selection of stellar products in sleek packaging deserves to be put on display. Top Row (from left to right): Hugo Boss Urban Journey 75ml, $94.00; Hollister Free Wave For Him 50ml, $35.00; Montblanc Legend Night – EDP Natural Spray...
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Mind Power
Your life and your world is a consequence of what you think. You may not realise your mind is an incredibly powerful tool and even the Einstein’s and Hawking’s were using less than 10% so learn how to use it and enjoy unbelievable success. I have just had the most wonderful weekend learning “how to...
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Wine Guide: Beyond Borders
A Bordeaux wine is any wine produced in the Bordeaux region of south-west France. The area produces predominantly red wines, which the English will often refer to as Clarets. These red Bordeaux wines are generally made from a blend of grapes, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot being the most common. While the Bordeaux...
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Levi’s: Not Just Jeans
The power of a brand is something that shouldn’t be underestimated. When you think of burgers, you think of McDonald’s. When you think of soft drinks, you think Coca-Cola. And when it comes to denim, Levi’s stands head and shoulders above everybody else. Founded in 1853 by German immigrant Levi Strauss, Levi’s has its roots in practicality,...
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Up Your Running Game With Reebok’s New Floatride Run Shoes
There is an important relationship between the fields of form and function. Ideally, the shape of an object should follow its intended function and purpose. What’s the point of having a flash looking supercar if the seats mess with your posture and the engine is the equivalent of a ride-on lawn mower? When it comes...
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Get Rugged Up For Autumn
With April underway and Autumn firmly taking root, it’s time to adjust your attire accordingly. Style-wise the colder months give you plenty more options to play with, so consider “rugging up” and adding more pieces to your normal daily fit. Overlaying some plaid with a bomber jacket and working in a scarf for good measure...
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Jack & Jones Street Wear Comes To New Zealand
When it comes to street wear, the best looks draw influence from a variety of styles but know how to balance it all in aesthetic harmony. New and exclusive to Farmers, Danish menswear brand Jack & Jones has just arrived on our shores in time for Autumn. Taking style design inspiration from a Danish brand...
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M2 PEAK PERFORMANCE powered Under Armour
Train like an Athlete – The Winter Edition
Some of us hibernate in winter, but Jossi Wells thrives. A professional free skier, competing at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and taking home gold at the 2016 X-Games, he is one to watch. Wells’ usually busy training schedule has freed up recently due to an injury so we take the opportunity to talk about […]
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Fighting For Social Change
More than 20 years ago, a young Richie Hardcore entered the ring, about to look his very first opponent in the eye, with one goal – to be the last man standing. It’s hard to imagine what would have been going through his mind as the bell rang to signal the fight to commence. It would also have been impossible for […]
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Liam Malone – The Fast Track To Success
The M2 Champagne Bollinger Man of the Year 2016 went to two time gold and one time silver medal winning Paralympian and blade running record breaker Liam Malone. He may have only had three years to prepare for Rio but as he has proven, he moves quickly. On and off the track. And this is […]
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Sand, Surf And Success
As a child, Matt-Lewis Hewitt had always been drawn towards sports that required discipline, teamwork and structured routine. Sports like rugby, swimming, surf lifesaving, water polo and, especially, surfing. Starting at 14 years old, it took Hewitt just 18 months before he was competing professionally in surfing. The young prodigy was headed for success, no […]
Read MoreWild
Surgeons of the Sea
Free Willy vs Jaws… who wins? Hollywood has altered our expectations about how this sort of apex predator duel would go down. Unless you spend more time watching documentaries than old movies on VHS, then the answer isn’t so clear. The biggest great white sharks can measure six metres long, weigh more than 2200 kilograms...
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Behind The Lens: Open Ocean
The thought of delving into the deep and getting face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest and deadliest beasts is not something everyone can face. But it is a different story for underwater videographer and adrenaline junkie, Steve Hathaway. Fascinated about life under the surface, M2 dove straight in when the opportunity arose to talk...
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Walk on the Wild Side
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of...
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11 Deadliest Animals on the Planet, And How to Survive Them
The animal kingdom is a strange and wonderful place. From architects to mimes, assassins to philanderers, each animal has its own niche, a role and place. While we regularly encounter cats, dogs, birds and bugs, our chances of seeing dangerous animals are usually limited to visiting the zoo or watching The Discovery Channel. But while...
Read MoreSnow
STEF ZEESTRATEN: HALFPIPE HEDONIST
From one of the flattest countries in the world, to the sharp ascents of the Southern Alps, Dutch-born Stef Zeestraten has, as is his wont, carved a name for himself in New Zealand snowboarding folklore. Throughout his 17-year competitive career that saw him peak at 47th in the world in 2008, Zeestraten has followed the serious...
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The Mazda SKI-ACTIV Experience
I vividly remember the first time I actually put skis on and hit (quite literally) the snow. I was in my late teens and full of bravado; I headed to the top of the chairlift, strapped on two planks of wood and shot down the slope – straight into a tree. The sensation was both...
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Climbing The Podium: Kiwis at the Winter Paralympics
The Winter Games, both Olympic and Paralympic, usually pass with minimal mention down under, but in the case of the compact Kiwi Paralympian team heading to South Korea this March, there’s reason to take notice. For a global event that is heavily dominated by northern hemisphere athletes, New Zealand participants more than hold their own....
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New Zealand Snow Guide 2017
With a cold blast hitting much of New Zealand earlier than expected, ski fields the length of the country have been able to open with bonus time to spare. Seasoned snow bunnies know their spots on both islands, but for those looking to venture out and experience new terrain and thrills, where do you go...
Read MoreLeadership
The Chair: Rob Campbell
Over the last 30 years Rob Campbell is on the board of some of our largest companies across our largest industries. Currently Chair of Summerset Group Holdings (NZ) and WEL Energy, and a director of SKYCITY Entertainment Group and Precinct Properties as well a director of or advisor to a number of hedge and private...
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MARKET LEADER: The driving force behind the real estate evolution
Brendon Skipper’s role as CEO of New Zealand’s No.1 property site, realestate.co.nz, draws on more than 20 years of experience across sales and marketing, property, IT and telecommunications, but he is quick to point out that the CEO role is one that doesn’t come with a manual. Could you describe a standard day for yourself?...
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Impact From Simplicity
In a world of exponential innovation, disruptive technologies and giddy cryptocurrency speculation a discussion about another KiwiSaver fund might seem a little vanilla. But after a few minutes with Simplicity founder, Sam Stubbs even the most finically unfocused would be hard pressed not to find excitement in compounded interest from saved fees, the growth of...
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Industry In Site
Over the past few years, we have seen a huge jump in the level of innovation, experience and concepts within the hospitality industry in this part of the world. No longer do we have to jump on a plane to get unique and exciting hospitality experiences. We are creating world-class cafes, restaurants, hotels and developments...
Read MoreGadgets
Belkin Pocket Power
Picture the scene. You’ve made it halfway across the world to Machu Picchu, the lactic acid building up that burning sensation in your calves as you trudge up crumbly 600 year old stairs. Triumph! You’ve made it to the top. That other burning feeling in your lungs begins to subside as it’s time for the...
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Game Reviews December 2017
Assassins Creed Origin From: Ubisoft Platform: Xbox One, PC, PS4 You slowly look to the left, spotting your target. Unable to fully scope the terrain you let your pet eagle scout the area from above and highlight enemies for you. Scaling the nearby building you wait for your target to get near. You dive towards...
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The Sunrise Smart Pillow
You know how you went to sleep on your dumb pillow last night and thought to yourself “I wish my pillow could double as an artificial sun and also play bluetooth music”? well today your dreams have become reality. The Sunrise Smart Pillow has successfully smashed its targets on Kickstarter as the consumer tech crowd...
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Gadgets – August 2017
Last issue we brought together all the bits and pieces you need for your iPhone. We figured that this time round we should show the love to the Android side of things. My personal favourite is Belkin’s wireless charger. It’s both futuristic and convenient while also being the perfect solution for keeping my older Nexus...
Read MoreMandate
The Future of New Zealand Architecture
New Zealand currently has 14 projects shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival, which is judging over 500 projects from around the world. We have plenty of completed projects being judged, but I like to look to the future at what we have changing our public spaces in the near future. Four future projects are currently...
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The Culinary Experience – Tea Under The Sea
In the deep, dark depths of the southernmost point of the Norwegian coast you will find diverse marine life and wild fauna of the sea – and soon the world’s largest underwater restaurant, Under. Due to open in February 2019, renderings of the project illustrate a building half-submerged into the waters off the coast of...
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Best Things Ever Said, September 2017
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein The best revenge is massive success. Frank Sinatra We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is therefore not an act but a habit. Aristotle Whether you think you can or you think you can’t,...
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Kiwi Author Sells Book Rights to Hollywood
Ben Sanders was not a name I had heard of when I saw his books in stores for Christmas. So after a few sightings, I got the message and read American Blood. I liked it. The hero, Marshall, wasn’t as arrogant as Jack Reacher, and not as active as Jason Bourne. He was a good...
Read MoreMan on the Street
Man On The Street – Shawn Pope
Age: 46 Occupation: Director of Melba Group What’s your morning routine? Starts with coffee, preferably roasted by Espresso Workshop, it always has! What are the top three things on your bucket list? Spend a white Christmas with my family in the States, travel on the Orient Express (can’t wait to see St Petersburg), windsurf on...
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Man On The Street – Jordon Milroy
Age: 28 Occupation: Visionary and climber at Jordon’s Climb for Awareness What’s your morning routine? The alarm is set for 5.03am. I roll into the gym and do a full workout until 6.45 and then back home, where it’s coffee time! What are the top three things on your bucket list? To find a bucket…...
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Man On The Street – Justin Scott
Age: 26 Occupation: Production Coordinator at NZME What’s your morning routine? Wake up and hit the shower before my partner can. Jump out, whip on some clothes and make some breakfast and then off to work. Fast and furious. What are the top three things on your bucket list? 1. Buy a house in Auckland (like...
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Man on the Street – Jaheb Barnett
Age: 31 Occupation: Advertising Mad Man by day and men’s fashion blogger somewhere in-between What’s your morning routine? Typically it starts with a shock when the alarm goes off at 6am, then me jumping into my exercise kit and hitting F45 training for a workout. This is followed up with a coffee to kick-start the...
Read MoreDesign
The Electric Future – Tesla Stem
Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark – they don’t exist. Sorry folks. We do have Elon Musk, however. And, quite frankly, that’ll do. Whether he has his sights set to the stars with SpaceX, disrupting the automotive world with Tesla or providing powerwalls to a broken Puerto Rico, Musk is doing this whole billionaire philanthropist thing quite...
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To The Manor Reborn AKA Unearthing Diamonds
The opportunity arose to visit the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, and I seized it with both hands. Not only would it give me the chance to pore over such iconic cars as the E-Type and Land Rover Series 1 , but it also came with the offer of being chauffeur driven there and back in a...
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The Boaties Dream – Natural Selection
Have you got a couple $100 million spare change handy? Perhaps you’re an aspiring Bond villain? Or maybe you’ve been implicated in the Panama Papers? Well, you’re in luck – Netherlands-based yacht design company Sinot’s latest concept design, Nature is a vessel ripped straight out of a Putin daydream. It’s called Nature for a reason;...
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NZ Architect wins German Design Award
It sits there in the heart of Auckland’s Titirangi. A corrugated beating heart surrounded by native bush with the warbling sing-song of Tui and Kereru as the soundtrack. While you might think that the seclusion of West Auckland’s native bush would mask the design mastery of “Red House”, it employs the opposite effect, so much...
Read MoreDeep Dives
All Hail Our Secret Government
It’s a golden time for lobbyists at the moment. We’ve just had a change in government and that means it’s time for everything to change, come what may. Duh, it has to – as the last guys obviously got every single thing wrong! But there’s a slight problem in that, aside from a couple of...
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The Fight For Gender Diversity – An Ad Man’s POV
So, a high-powered panel of female leaders featuring Theresa Gattung, Justine Smyth, Tracey Cross, Naomi Ballantyne and Linda Meade were at the M2woman Journey to Excellence forum recently. I think it’s fair to say that the gist of their forum was; “we want moregender equality in the workplace! Now, dammit! Now!” Huh? Is this really...
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Walk on the Wild Side
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of...
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Climbing The Podium: Kiwis at the Winter Paralympics
The Winter Games, both Olympic and Paralympic, usually pass with minimal mention down under, but in the case of the compact Kiwi Paralympian team heading to South Korea this March, there’s reason to take notice. For a global event that is heavily dominated by northern hemisphere athletes, New Zealand participants more than hold their own....
Read MoreCover Stories
Chris Pine, A Lead Team Player
Chris Pine is the classic ladies man, designed in a lab somewhere as a weaponised human being with the set purpose of breaking hearts wherever he goes. Born in Los Angeles to Robert Pine and Gwynne Gilford, both of whom who are actors (Robert was a CHiPs co-star). It seems natural in hindsight that the...
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Jamie Dornan – The Colour In The Grey
“His eyes are intense, probing, demanding even. I stretch out beside him, feeling loose-limbed, my bones like jelly, but I’m relaxed, deeply relaxed.” – E. L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. As I write this piece, I’m trying my absolute best to not cry of laughter in the office. Never in my wildest dreams would...
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COVER STORY – Michael Fassbender
It’s 1979, and a two-year-old Michael Fassbender is moving with his family from Heidelberg in Germany to Ireland. Just across the Irish Sea, principle photography at a London studio had just been finished and the world was being introduced to the horror of Ridley Scott’s Alien, a franchise that would set the bar in sci-fi...
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David Beckham’s Guide To Success – Incredible Lessons for Success On and Off the Field
The prototypical script for a famous footballer goes something like this: You play 10 years (if you’re lucky). Possibly win a league title in the process (if you’re lucky). Finally, you negotiate a broadcasting career where you play pundit and banter with other ‘legends of the sport’ (that is, if you’re lucky). You then retire for...
Read MoreSuccess
Best Things Ever Said
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. Henry Ford I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that...
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Industry In Site
Over the past few years, we have seen a huge jump in the level of innovation, experience and concepts within the hospitality industry in this part of the world. No longer do we have to jump on a plane to get unique and exciting hospitality experiences. We are creating world-class cafes, restaurants, hotels and developments...
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Reinvention At Scale
Spark CEO, Simon Moutter, is leading our largest telco through the one of the most disruptive eras in business and the tech industry. All whilst reinventing the nature and structure of a company that employs thousands of New Zealanders and invests hundreds of millions into infrastructure. This is a process that is helped by the logic and pragmatism of a...
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6 Top Tips For Social Media Success
Social media is a valuable tool to communicate with your customers in a two-way conversation that encourages their engagement around your brand and product. It’s key to make sure you are creating the right content and conversation to help tell your brand story and connect with people in a way that is genuine. We use...
Read MoreAmazing Photos
The Art Of Fakery
Austrian photographer Gregor Sailer is a changer of landscapes, and a tricker of minds. Photographs in his latest series, The Potemkin Village, strike a sense of confusion… but not everything is as it may seem. While growing up in Tyrol, Austria, Gregor Sailer started taking snaps at a young age and has not stopped...
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Rebuilding a Nation
It was 2.45pm on March 11, 2011; everything was normal for Japan’s 127 million residences. It was one of the first days of spring and the air was still crisp, and there was no real hint of the chilling events about to strike the nation. The 9.0 magnitude quake hit at 2.46pm JST, and it...
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Walk on the Wild Side
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of...
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The Art of Abandonment, Photo Series Captures Civilizations Losing Battle Against Nature
Destroyed, decayed and derelict – all key elements that Jonk, a well-seasoned French photographer, seeks in his ultimate subject matter, for his ongoing series depicting abandoned structures. Do you come from a photography background? I did not study photography and learned everything myself, mostly from reading and exchanging ideas with fellow photographers. My background is...
Read MoreSport
The Monthly Sports Agenda
It’s business as usual in September, and Australia is the place to be for sporting action in this part of the world, as their most supported codes wind up their seasons. Elsewhere on the globe, New York is hosting two events of international significance with records to be broken. NRL FINALS SERIES September is the...
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Joseph Parker – Fighting Spirit
It’s known as “The Sweet Science”. Where mere millimeters mean the difference between slipping a punch or waking up gazing at the bright lights of a stadium ceiling. Where the right amount of torque and placement decides whether or not a punch becomes a knockout blow. Where timing is the difference between a successful counter punch...
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Michael Venus – New Zealand Tennis’ Shinning Star
Uncommon, like the generational flash of a passing comet or a fleeting eclipse, Michael Venus is New Zealand’s latest tennis shining star and in 2017 became the first Kiwi to win a Grand Slam doubles title since 1979. At the tender age of 30, the Auckland-born and bred resident took out the Roland Garros title...
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Kiwis At The Cup – A New Zealand History In The America’s Cup
As the billionaires and their boats descend on Bermuda for the 35th America’s Cup, Team New Zealand will be once again showing why they are at the cutting edge of yachting evolution. Against a perpetual wall of money, Kiwi sailors have always found a way to get around or over it with skill, innovation, and...
Read MoreBucket List Experiences
Destination Du Jour – BULGARI Bali Resort
Imagine waking up to the calming sound of waves washing upon the shore; birds and wildlife chattering in the distance; and smelling the earthy scent of the native forest as you slowly come to… Home of the spiritual getaway, Bali has become one of those destinations that every second person has been to, and for...
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Beretta At Bracu
Situated on the Simunovich Olive Estate at the foot of the Bombay Hills, Bracu is a fascinating blend of old world heritage, cutting edge creativity, a large-scale olive operation and intimate dining… oh, and some knife throwing. Founded in 1999 by the Simonivich family, and known today as one of the largest privately owned olive...
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Rising Dawn
It’s still pitch black when our alarms go off – 4.15am to be exact. Despite the early morning start, it’s easy to offset my drowsy, zombie-like mind with the sheer excitement of what’s on the agenda for today. While our time in New South Wales’ premier wine region, Hunter Valley, had so far consisted of...
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What Lies Beneath
From growing up in a small town in North Canterbury, to hosting his very own series, picked up by a global documentary giant – National Geographic – Ellis Emmett truly is an inspiration to get out there and get stuck into something you love and turn your ideas and dreams into a reality. We manage...
Read MoreWheels
Wheels News
BIG IN JAPAN – We took a trip to the Tokyo Motor Show at Big Sight events centre. Here are a few of our favourites. Toyota – Say-i The Concept-i integrates automotive technology with emotions (yes you heard that correctly). Using AI, Toyota is looking to turn cars from things into entities. Mercedes – AMG...
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One year on… GT Membership
“If you’re a golfer you join a golf club – we don’t like golf”… It was such a succinct analogy, summing up the Hampton Downs GT membership so perfectly that it could have come from the racetrack owner Tony Quinn himself (without the Scottish brogue or the hint of expletives of course). As the membership...
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Getting our A into G with Mercedes-Benz
There’s little doubt that Mercedes-Benz have a very impressive SUV line-up (well, vehicles in general, for that matter), boasting everything from the 5.5L V8-powered AMG GLS 63 (and, of course, the G-Wagon) to the all-new X. Large or small, and whatever the terrain, it would appear Mercedes-Benz have a seat that will take you where...
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Grass(hopper) Roots
When it comes to cars, the stories that surround them can often be as big as the marques themselves. However, our friends at Continental Cars – Porsche have an absolute doozy that we need to tell you all about. t’s a story of vision, it’s a story of dedication, it’s a story of passion and,...
Read MoreHealth
Healing without Scars
Be it from when you tripped and fell as a kid, an accidental burn, or if you got your appendix removed, scars can be rather unpleasant and unsightly. And while scars can’t be completely removed at present, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Dermatology have found a way to make fresh wounds heal...
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The Benefits Of Comvita Honey
More than just your favourite spread; if you are unaware of the benefits of Manuka Honey, then you have clearly not been listening to us share about it’s health benefits recently. So, those of you listen up, and take notes. In 1974, Comvita® founders Claude Stratford and Alan Bougen believed in the power of nature. Four...
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Health News – October 2017
Get into the best gear, and get your body ready for from the inside to make the most of your workout. NEW BALANCE If you are that way inclined, then you can understand the struggle of finding a performance shoe that looks just as good as it performs. The New Balance 574 Sport is a...
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Health News – December 2017
It’s getting to that time of the year where people are starting to make their resolutions, so get a jump-start on yours with these essentials. Adidas X David Beckham Have you ever heard of the ‘runner’s high’? That rush of endorphins? That feeling of invincibility when running? Imagine getting that runner’s high whilst running on...
Read MoreEntertainment
The Author To Know: David Lagercrantz
Best-selling author of I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic and 11 other well-known titles, Lagercrantz is a man who wears numerous hats. One moment he is a journalist, the next he is a biographer, the next a ghost-writer, then a novelist. A man of sheer talent and verve. Born in Solna in 1962 to Olof Lagercrantz (a...
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Super Mario Odyssey Review
For the last 20 years every time I start to play a new Mario game I always tell myself this is too cutesy for me…. I’ve moved to bigger and better gaming…. I need more grit in my games like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto……. then 8 hours later my controller’s battery has...
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Double Edged: The Return of Blade Runner
We’re treading on hallowed ground now. We all knew that one day Hollywood’s rummaging hand would light upon a classic like Blade Runner. They’ve already made the right first move by not rebooting everything from scratch. The second move they need to make is far more nuanced. Just a little background for readers who are...
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Films To Watch This April
Rampage Billed as ‘Big Meets Bigger’, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson plays a primatologist who befriends a giant silverback gorilla. After a genetic experiment goes wrong (good one, humanity), the gorilla goes ape. Not only that, several species of altered animals begin to run amok across America, and it’s up to the The Rock to restore...
Read MoreFood
Discover Your New Local – Ben Bayly’s Less Obvious Guide to the Best Restaurants
We live in a golden age of chefs. Between the move towards consumers seeking a more personal and authentic dining experience, Auckland is bubbling over with cooking legends who not only practice world-class gastronomy but also manage to remain authentic with more focus on craft than profit. Ben Bayly, one of the judges on New...
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Where Our Chefs Eat: The Ultimate Mans Guide
There’s nothing worse than pining after a dish all day, only to be miserably disappointed when your order doesn’t quite live up to the expectations. With a dizzying array of options dotted around the city, it’s hard to know where to even begin. To avoid a serious case of food disappointment, we spoke to some...
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Recipe: Butter Infused With All Natural Ingredients
When it comes to summer food there is one thing many of us look forward to all year – BBQs. Perfectly cooked steak, fresh prawns and locally caught fish with summer salads and perla potatoes. It’s a summer tradition, really! Award-winning chef Owen Sinclair has created a must-have for your next BBQ with Flavour Fiend...
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The Burger Battle
Each week seems to bring another burger joint opening, but hey, we’re not complaining. But with each new opening comes a new concept, so which fusion, style or flavour do you pick? Better Burger These guys seem to be taking on the city, with the recent opening of their Sylvia Park store showing they have...
Read MoreWine
Chardonnay VS. Chablis
In this issue we compare some of our best New Zealand Chardonnays with their close relatives from the Chablis region of France. The big difference we found was the flinty minerality of the Chablis versus the more dominant fruit flavours that came through in their New Zealand counterparts. To be called a Chablis they must...
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Mills Reef winery launches a new range of wines called Bespoke
One of our favourite wineries and the most awarded boutique winery in new Zealand has just come out with a new range. This new range joins their premium lineup and sits perfectly between their Elspeth and the Reserve ranges that we often recommend in M2. The new line up was born from the desire of...
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Fizz The Season
Often referred to as the elixir of the gods and quite possibly the magic potion from Gaul that often appeared in Asterix comics, Champagne has long been the celebratory drink for all occasions. To a large part, the wine makers use predominantly Pinot Noir grapes mainly from the Champagne region mixed with Chablis from the...
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Winter Warmers… More Great Wines to Bring to a Dinner Party
Warm up your winter evenings around a good drop of red. It’s a great time of year for dinner parties. Time to get light the fire, light the candles, relax and enjoy one another’s company over a nice roast and a good bottle of red. The challenge is to choose the right wine for the...
Read MoreCoach Your Way To Success
Why You Have to Specialise to Thrive in Business
Specialising has taken my business to the next level. My goal is to have a small base of exceptional clients. This year I’ve made some significant business decisions to achieve it. The last 10 years I’ve acquired thousands of clients. I can’t provide that many people with a high level of service and I don’t...
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5 Tips to Staying Focused and productive
Following Queen’s Birthday Weekend, there’s a distinct shortage of public holidays for a while; there’s a long, wintry period all the way to Labour Weekend, which can feel like forever. So how do you keep yourself focused, fresh and productive through this time? I’ve put together a few of my top tips for staying sharp....
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6 Principles of Creating Viral Content
A couple of years ago Pure SEO, one of my companies, was declared the only New Zealand winner of the Google Engage All Stars Competition. The prize was an all-expenses-paid trip to the Googleplex in San Francisco, the epicentre of the Google empire. Among the amazing people I met at Google HQ was a guy...
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5 Tips for Creating a Business Without Breaking the Bank
In late 2009, a few months after immigrating to New Zealand from England with my wife, we invested $200 in a website template and with my ageing laptop, sat in our rented flat and started Pure SEO. Seven years later, I have one of the fastest growing businesses in New Zealand. I’ve grown a business...
Read MoreLuxury Watches
Montblanc Picks of 2017
Montblanc 1858 Automatic Evoking designs and themes of timepieces past is a formula that can either work fantastically or come across as contrived. Montblanc’s 1858 collection, in particular the Montblanc 1858 Automatic, tastefully pays tribute to the Minerva chronographs of the 1930s, while making subtle changes for the sensibilities of the modern day. A deep...
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The Race Against Time
When you think of watch makers you might think of far-flung European cities with gingerbread houses and a proliferation of bicycles. Definitely your first thought won’t stray toward our very own City of Sails. But it should, because we have creatives in Auckland who are starting to make waves. One of them is the father-son...
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SEIKO Picks of 2017
Seiko Astron GPS Solar Seiko launched the Astron GPS Solar at Baselworld 2012 and five years onward, the range of Astron GPS Solar calibres continues to grow in line with the ever-widening demand for smart watch technologies. The new 8X42 brings the number of active GPS Solar calibers to four in the Astron range and...
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Montblanc TimeWalker Collection
Paying tribute to Minerva’s extraordinary heritage, Montblanc takes a journey back to the glory days of motor racing with five new TimeWalker timepieces that capture the beauty, spirit and values of motorsport history. Professional watches are reborn, highlighting the performance and innovation of the new Montblanc TimeWalker collection. The Rebirth of Professional Watches Car racing...
Read MoreDrink
Limited numbers of bottles of this whisky are landing in NZ, here’s when & where to find them
Extending the annual Islay Whisky Festival – Feis Ile – in Scotland slightly, Ardbeg Day will be celebrated in New Zealand on Saturday June 3. The celebrations stretch across the country in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. There will be celebrations along with the official release of the limited edition Ardbeg Kelpie for purchase, paired canapes...
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New Zealand just got its first saké professional
Our craft beer market has plenty of gurus willing to provide you brews on your journey of beer discovery, but in New Zealand it’s a little tough to find the right person to guide you through your saké experience. Once you get the taste for saké you never go back. Now, Fuminobu (Fumi) Nakatani –...
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The Single Malt Whisky Night
Recently a few of us lads in the neighborhood got together and established the Renfrew Whisky Appreciation Society. While it sounds incredibly sophisticated, it’s not. It is a bunch of blokes looking for a good excuse to imbibe good whisky. The concept is simple, it always revolves around Single Malt whisky and entry is by...
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The Ultimate Whisky Night
A few weeks ago we had a another of our whisky nights with a group of lads from the neighborhood. We call it the Renfrew Whisky Appreciation Society but it is simply an enthusiastic bunch from all walks, including lawyers, accountants, bankers and a couple of project managers, all of whom have a common interest...
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Stephen King – Author Credit
The infamous 1986 horror novel IT will be seen in a different light the movie hits the big screens this September. We hear from the man, Stephen King himself, about what he thinks of the upcoming iteration. When you watch a film based on one of your books, like IT, do you find yourself thinking...
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NELSON DEMILLE
America’s Greatest Living Thriller Writer (as titled on the front cover of his latest novel, The Cuban Affair), Nelson Demille writes his books with a pencil and paper from his home in Long Island, New York. It’s a process that works for him. The Cuban Affair (his 20th novel) has hit-the-ground-running by heading straight to...
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The Author To Know: David Lagercrantz
Best-selling author of I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic and 11 other well-known titles, Lagercrantz is a man who wears numerous hats. One moment he is a journalist, the next he is a biographer, the next a ghost-writer, then a novelist. A man of sheer talent and verve. Born in Solna in 1962 to Olof Lagercrantz (a...
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Kiwi Author Sells Book Rights to Hollywood
Ben Sanders was not a name I had heard of when I saw his books in stores for Christmas. So after a few sightings, I got the message and read American Blood. I liked it. The hero, Marshall, wasn’t as arrogant as Jack Reacher, and not as active as Jason Bourne. He was a good...
Read MoreBook Reviews
Book reviews – March 2018
By Tim Lawrence I haven’t read the first two Orphan X novels, but I did read and review another Hurwitz novel last year, Tell No Lies, where I said: “ The story is set in San Francisco, the hero is a rich kid with a tough, wealthy mother; he gives up everything to marry his...
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THREE BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH
TELL NO LIES Gregg Hurwitz The story is set in San Francisco, the hero is a rich kid with a tough, wealthy mother; he gives up everything to marry his sweetheart and becomes a psychologist who works with ex-prisoners to rehabilitate them. Mother does not approve. It’s a murder mystery with twists and turns and...
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The Books To Read
Typhoon Fury Clive Cussler Juan Cabrillo and the corporation are off on another adventure, this time sees them in Asia. A good old fashioned good guy versus the bad guys with the villain being tough and not to be messed with. This is the 9th Oregon files book, those familiar with the series will know...
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5 books that have changed the way I think about business
As an entrepreneur, I don’t have as much time for reading as I would like; I’m often too busy ‘doing’. But there’s value to be gleaned from other people’s stories of having been there, done that, and lots we can learn from their trials and tribulations. So here are five books that have affected me...
Read MoreM2 MARCH 2018 issue
Ford Ranger Raptor: Performance & Baja Ha Ha
A recent study by Ford research boffins in Europe highlighted that regularly driving a sports car can greatly increase your sense of wellbeing and emotional fulfillment. Therefore, although our off-roading friends may find a certain sense of pleasure slowly wallowing around in the mud ruts of the countryside, they have evidently, by owning a mere...
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Sports – March 2018
The One To Watch: Blair Tuke New Zealand sailing’s unsung hero Team New Zealand trimmer and 49er legend Blair Tuke hasn’t always been in his good mate, Peter Burling’s shadow and he has stepped out of it again by continuing New Zealand’s proud history in the Volvo Ocean Race. Before the America’s Cup became the...
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The Tech Giant & the Digital Transformation in New Zealand
A recent Microsoft study found that 72% of New Zealand’s workers expect their workplace to invest in culture development and 76% expect leaders to close the digital skills gap. With the rise and dependency on digital technologies and an increasing influx of millennials in the workforce, workplaces are under increasing pressure to address worker expectations,...
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Man on the Street – Callum Sweeney
Age: 24 Occupation: Marketer at Bookabach and Influencer at Clink Clink Drink What’s your morning routine? I wake up, shower, do my hair and take care of my skin, get dressed, get in a good breakfast and a coffee (or two) and then head to work. Sometimes I will work on my own projects for...
Read MoreM2 FEBRUARY 2018 issue
Impact From Simplicity
In a world of exponential innovation, disruptive technologies and giddy cryptocurrency speculation a discussion about another KiwiSaver fund might seem a little vanilla. But after a few minutes with Simplicity founder, Sam Stubbs even the most finically unfocused would be hard pressed not to find excitement in compounded interest from saved fees, the growth of...
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A Second Life
Check me out. I stand on the threshold of my ‘second life’. I am grateful to science for this moment. Human minds – activated by ingenuity and curiosity, theories and experiments, and research and development, all working across different disciplines – have collaborated to produce what I see spread out before me: a whole new...
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The Petrol Head Fix – The Grand Tour Season 2 On Amazon Prime
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May work together like a finely tuned, umm, err…supercar, and if you’ve been missing your fix from the beastly petrolhead triumvirate, The Grand Tour returns for Season 2 on Amazon Prime, with the boys back with their classic high-octane wit and shenanigans. Springboarding off the success of Season 1,...
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Sports News – February 2018
Tweaked Super Rugby season set for another trial The ever evolving (or is it revolving) Super Rugby competition has had another makeover for 2018 and once again, the same story-lines exist. Can the Blues make the semifinals like they always predict and expected to do? Will the Crusaders make the final again and what new...
Read MoreM2 JANUARY 2018 issue
The Remai Modern
Canada’s culture scene has recently welcomed the $95 million dollar modern art museum – the Remai Modern. We were proud to see it fronted by New Zealand CEO Gregory Burke, former CEO of New Plymouth’s Govett‑Brewster and many other prestigious galleries. I caught up with Burke to talk success, design and the challenges he faces with...
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The Books To Read
Typhoon Fury Clive Cussler Juan Cabrillo and the corporation are off on another adventure, this time sees them in Asia. A good old fashioned good guy versus the bad guys with the villain being tough and not to be messed with. This is the 9th Oregon files book, those familiar with the series will know...
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Michael Venus – New Zealand Tennis’ Shinning Star
Uncommon, like the generational flash of a passing comet or a fleeting eclipse, Michael Venus is New Zealand’s latest tennis shining star and in 2017 became the first Kiwi to win a Grand Slam doubles title since 1979. At the tender age of 30, the Auckland-born and bred resident took out the Roland Garros title...
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Why Most Will Never Become Truly Successful
“It’s lonely at the top. 99% of people are convinced they are incapable of achieving great things, so they aim for mediocre. The level of competition is thus fiercest for ‘realistic’ goals, paradoxically making them the most competitive.” – Tim Ferriss The pull towards mediocrity is too strong. As David Schwartz once penned, “All around...
Read MoreM2 DECEMBER 2017 issue - Man of the Year issue
Kane Williamson – New Zealand’s Greatest In Waiting
Becoming New Zealand’s greatest-ever batsman is a matter of how soon and not if for Black Caps Captain, Kane Williamson. Comparisons are often made in the game of cricket because of the importance of statistics, and the diminutive run machine is not only on an autobahn to overtake late legend Martin Crowe’s records, but he...
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The Evolution Of Coach
This year, we were delighted to present the partnership with Coach for our M2 Man of the Year Awards. As a lifestyle magazine that delivers all things luxury with a humbled approach, it was an obvious decision to create an alignment with Coach. It is a brand that pertains to quality craftsmanship, quirky creativity and...
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Adapt Or Die -Why You Have To Evolve To Survive In Business
Only the strongest in a species evolve and that’s because change is tough. To change means you have to be able to adapt to new conditions. Not everyone can do that. Familiarity is comforting – it’s safe. But if you want to grow – change is mandatory. You have to meddle in the unknown. Take...
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Photo Series: Dark And Stormy
The sky above you starts roaring, you feel the earth beneath you quivering and the crisp, whirling air feels like it’s forming icicles on your cheeks. But the lighting is perfect and the brewing tornado plummets to the ground below, you feel the clunk of your camera shutter opening to capture the moment. And you...
Read MoreM2 NOVEMBER 2017 issue
iPhone 8 Plus Review
It’s that time of the year again. Yes! We have got our hands on a new, shiny iPhone 8 Plus in all of its full glass glory… On that note, I think glass is a great place to start; the most obvious update with the new device is that it is full glass. Glass back,...
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Reshaping a City
Husband and wife team John and Josephine Love from Love & Co. are no strangers to the process of transforming old buildings into exciting new spaces but their latest project will define the heart of Auckland for generations to come. Love & Co. are transforming the old Civic Administration Building (The CAB) into 17 levels...
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Floating Cities From The Ground Up
While most architects are looking toward creating a sustainable future and cities that are built with humans in mind and not cars, some are looking past such droll things like land and are instead looking toward the great expanse of the ocean for their inspiration. That’s exactly what the Seasteading Institute has done. While the...
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Who will be the next Man of the year?
M2 Man of the Year has been celebrating New Zealand success since 2007. We have people to be proud of in every sector of society. Mark Ellis was our first Man of the Year, and sportsmen have featured frequently over the years. Sportsmen might bring us international prestige but it’s our local business owners that...
Read MoreM2 OCTOBER 2017 issue
BMW 340i Touring – What goes on tour…
In many ways, roadies are the unsung heroes of the rock industry. They are the people that truly put the show together (and take it on the road), they are the pack horses, the backbone of touring rock. They travel from town to town taking care of the ‘behind the scenes’ business, virtually unseen and...
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Best Things Ever Said – October 2017
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi...
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The Mazda SKI-ACTIV Experience
I vividly remember the first time I actually put skis on and hit (quite literally) the snow. I was in my late teens and full of bravado; I headed to the top of the chairlift, strapped on two planks of wood and shot down the slope – straight into a tree. The sensation was both...
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The ‘Holy’ Trinity
We get amongst the vines and learn what goes into making Trinity Hill wines Winemaking Wizardry Looking for a new wine to try out? Look no further. We headed down to the Hawke's Bay and caught up with Trinity Hill Wines Chief Winemaker Warren Gibson for a taste test of five of the best wines...
Read MoreM2 SEPTEMBER 2017 issue
Rising Dawn
It’s still pitch black when our alarms go off – 4.15am to be exact. Despite the early morning start, it’s easy to offset my drowsy, zombie-like mind with the sheer excitement of what’s on the agenda for today. While our time in New South Wales’ premier wine region, Hunter Valley, had so far consisted of...
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How to Master the Neutral Tones
With the return of the 80s in fashion comes quite a few neutral, washed-out pastel tones appearing in collections, along with some of the cuts. The turtle neck has been strong for the past few seasons, but we are seeing this more often and in colours that pay homage to the era. The Working Style...
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Omega Picks of 2017
Seamaster Planet Ocean Sporting an eye-catching navy blue and burnt orange colourway, “Big Blue” as Omega have nicknamed it, is bold in style, clever in design and grabs attention in a manner vastly different to your standard luxury watches. Omega have springboarded off the success of last year’s Planet Ocean “Deep Black” and have dived deeper...
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Getting our A into G with Mercedes-Benz
There’s little doubt that Mercedes-Benz have a very impressive SUV line-up (well, vehicles in general, for that matter), boasting everything from the 5.5L V8-powered AMG GLS 63 (and, of course, the G-Wagon) to the all-new X. Large or small, and whatever the terrain, it would appear Mercedes-Benz have a seat that will take you where...
Read MoreM2 AUGUST 2017 issue
Top 9 Stress Reducing Foods
What you eat forms the basis of everything that your body does and to function at your best, it’s important to eat a diet packed full of nutrient-rich foods. With an ever increasing number of Kiwis suffering from chronic stress, anxiety and depression, it’s time to start looking to our diets to help support our...
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Pressing Matters – a photojournalistic encapsulation of the year 2016
Annually, the World Press Photo Foundation recognises photographers’ visual creativity and commitment to in-depth photojournalism by exhibiting pictures that capture an event or issue of great journalistic importance in the previous 12 months. This year, an intense and haunting depiction of the assassination of Turkey’s Russian ambassador took the prestigious first prize as Photo of...
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Editors Letter – August 2017
Unless, of course, you are a subscriber to the digital version of this magazine, chances are you’re reading this on good old, glossy 95GSM paper and four-colour ink based on a process that has a direct ancestor in the press that Johannes Gutenberg invented in 1440. Therefore, it would seem that we aren’t possibly in...
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Fashion Trend – Winter Gettin’ you Down?
You either love ’em or hate ’em, but puffer jackets have been finding their way into the more ‘accepted’ side of the fashion scene lately. But when it comes to the fact that, yes, it is cold outside, you will find there are, in fact, some pretty cool options out there. Is your finger on...
Read MoreM2 JULY 2017 issue
Starry Starry Night – Rolls-Royce Wraith
In 1971, Don McLean penned the lyrics to Vincent. Inspired by a book he read, it is a haunting melody that is a tribute to the life of Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. The opening line ‘Starry starry night’ (the relevance of this I’ll get to soon) refers to the oil on canvas Van...
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Discover Your New Local – Ben Bayly’s Less Obvious Guide to the Best Restaurants
We live in a golden age of chefs. Between the move towards consumers seeking a more personal and authentic dining experience, Auckland is bubbling over with cooking legends who not only practice world-class gastronomy but also manage to remain authentic with more focus on craft than profit. Ben Bayly, one of the judges on New...
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Mercedes – AMG C 43 Cabriolet, Disturbing the Peace
Cabriolets, soft tops, dropheads, open tops or convertibles, call them what you may, but for me, they always bring on a sense of fun, leisure and, when outside the confines of city walls, an all-important, fresh-air freedom. The simple process of removing a vehicle’s metal (or fabric) ceiling is like unlocking the shackles of life,...
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Man on the Street – Joe Telford
Age: 38 Occupation: Licensed Real Estate Agent What do you have for breakfast? Coffee is normally all I have for breakfast. What is your morning routine? So, my morning routine is that I’m normally up at about 6am to get myself organised and up and ready for the day. And then, after that, the kids wake up....
Read MoreM2 JUNE 2017 issue
Man On The Street – Mark Jackson
Age: 41 Occupation: Director of Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen. I have a smoothie for breakfast. Kale, nuts, and protein, frozen berries and banana. And leave a little glass of it in the fridge for my daughter. What is your morning routine? Sneak out of bed. Because my daughter and wife are still asleep. We still...
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Limited numbers of bottles of this whisky are landing in NZ, here’s when & where to find them
Extending the annual Islay Whisky Festival – Feis Ile – in Scotland slightly, Ardbeg Day will be celebrated in New Zealand on Saturday June 3. The celebrations stretch across the country in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. There will be celebrations along with the official release of the limited edition Ardbeg Kelpie for purchase, paired canapes...
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Simple Pleasures – The new CX-5 Launch
Let’s face it, modern everyday life can be pretty busy. Between the necessity of work and the demands that come with family and friends, there seems to be so much pressure to do things. Time appears to be going by so fast (even speeding up) and very little of it is spent metaphorically speaking ‘silently...
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Style News – June 2017
Rembrandt has a new must-have for the travelling professional – a suit that knows exactly what you need from your busy lifestyle. The new style, Solano, features crease resistance, which is guaranteed to be wrinkle-proof (even after sitting down for that nine-hour flight), superior breathability and a water repellent feature, which is a treatment applied...
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